A.I. Now & In The Future

A.I. in the 90's

    A.I. use in many ways is not apparent at first glance.  Microsoft's homepage uses A.I. for the help system that allows you to go directly to the things the user needs.  Julia, an unsophisticated bot compared to the 90's, was created using A.I. to pass the Turing Test to show computer intelligence.  (Julia will hold conversations with individuals).  Artificial intelligence is used to help pilots fly planes.   Robotics incorporating artificial intelligence interaction with laser, ultrasound, MRI scanning, are performing delicate brain surgery more accurately than by traditional surgical approaches.   A.I. was used in the investigation of Mars in July 1997.   The artificially intelligent, Sojourner, was programmed to leave the Pathfinder to explore on its own.  Another important use of A.I. is in Hazardous Duty Robots.  Robots are used in areas of dangerous chemicals or radioactivity.  The possibilities of artificial intelligence are endless.   In all of these examples, it is key to note that the position of A.I. is one of creating a safer more easily used and understood environment.
  The Future of A.I.  
 Artificial intelligence in the 90's is centered around improving conditions for humans.  But is that the only goal in the future?  Research is focusing on building human-like robots.  This is because scientists are interested in human intelligence and are fascinated by trying to copy it.  If A.I. machines can be capable of doing tasks originally done by humans, then the role of humans will change.

Robots have already begun to replace factory workers.  They are acting as surgeons, pilots, astronauts, etc.  According to Crevier,  a computer scientist, robots will take over clerical workers, the middle managers and on up.  Eventually what society will be left with are machines working at every store and humans on every beach.  As Moravec puts it, we'll all be living as millionaires.

The visions of some of these scientists seem like unrealistic utopian views. Other scientists and theorists envision a more negative takeover.  "The thinking power of silicon 'brains' will be so formidable that 'if we are lucky, they will keep us as pets'"(Postman).   But what if these visions become a reality?  Will humans have to worry about their futures if artificial intelligence takes over?

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